Sunday, February 22, 2015

Boys Can Wear Pink.... Volume 2!


So we had so much fun the first time, we decided to do it again!  So here is my second installment in the Boys Can Wear Pink series hosted by the amazing Kelly from Handsome Boy.  After you have read my post, head over and check out the amazing line up and other posts!

In case you have forgotten, (which I know you didn't) we are looking to break the barriers that boys are not "supposed" to wear pink.  This stigma stifles our creative outlets and prevents our boys from wearing some amazing creations.  It also harbors bias and stereotypes that lead to hurtful attitudes and words.  Well, we aren't standing for it anymore so at least in my house, boys CAN and DO wear pink.

I decided to make a whole outfit for my big boy this time.  Being as large as he is, it is often hard to find pants/shorts that will fit him properly.  A while ago, I jumped out and applied for a tester from Rabbit Rabbit Creations for a secret pattern.  It turned out to be the most fantastic pair of pants for my son.  I have made him 4 pairs of these already.  What pattern is it?  The Urbanite Pants!

These pants are not only amazing in their fit but the detail included to ensure you have a professional looking final result.  Check out my amazing pockets and double top stitching!



Then to find a shirt that would fit and be roomy enough to not cause fussiness in my preteen I headed to my go to favorite pattern maker.  I choose The Ethan Boy's Button Up Shirt by Sisboom.

Admittedly I am scared of collars and cuffs and facings and buttons... really all things dress shirt.  But I knew I could trust this pattern to make me feel like a professional.  And I do.  And I fooled everyone else. No one suspected I made the shirt! Check out these amazing details!


Altogether the outfit just worked! I was worried it would be too much but I think it turned out perfectly and will get some definite wear during the Spring/Easter season. Pardon my child trying to look "grown man serious", this must be a phase of the getting cool part of growing up?



So since the month of February is coming to close, you are running out of time to catch this amazing series.  And to enter the rafflecopter to win prizes... But you have plenty of time to sew up some pink for the boys and men in your life.  I would love to see it! Grab your favorite pattern, pink fabric and get at it.  Then run over to the Sew For Boys facebook group and post it.  Or wherever you post it make sure to include #boyscanwearpink so the world can know!  We dare you...




Enter to win one of the these FABULOUS prizes!!!

One yard of Stenzo Pit Stop Poplin in pink from Mabel Madison
$25 gift certificate, plus a surprise fat quarter from Phat Quarter Shop
One yard of solid cotton/lycra & one yard of coordinating fabric from Purple Seamstress
One pattern of choice from Paisley Roots
$20 store credit from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop
One pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates
One pattern of choice from Mouse House Creations
Bottoms Up Pants Pattern from If Only They Would Nap
One Pattern of choice from Titchy Threads




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Boys CAN Wear Pink... Even Big Boys


So I was over the moon excited to be selected to participate in the Boys Can Wear Pink series that is being hosted by the AMAZING Kelly from over at Handmade Boy.  I am just one of many amazing bloggers who are participating in this tour. (Head over to the RoundUp and check out the other posts.)  This is an amazing experience, my first blog tour and an opportunity to feature Bubba on the blog, I mean he is half of the name...

So boys wearing pink you say?  Absolutely! Our society has been plagued by what we perceive as "normal" and we use it as a shield to hurt and judge others.  It is unacceptable! It is just plain wrong! And the worst part of it all??? We are teaching our children to have these judgmental values.  Ask an average teenage boy if he likes pink and his instant reaction is one of disgust.  The color pink is a color like any other and does not belong to girls alone.  Now my son is a preteen so he was super concerned that wearing pink would make him a target for ridicule.  I told him he could just model it for the blog tour and then he could put it in the closet.  But then I let him help me with the design, I let him sew a little.  He even put on his own snaps.  And now? He loves it!!! Enough of my soap box, let's get to my creation.

My son is huge!  I have a lot of trouble finding patterns that will fit him and hopefully for more than a day.  So when Scientific Seamstress released the adult version of their bowling shirt, I snatched my copy up the first day.  And then stored it in the pattern abyss and never looked back.  But I should have and I intend to make many, many more.  I ended up making him the XS which gave him plenty of room to grow and allows him to look as cool as he thinks he is.


First off, I love this pattern! And the fact that to make the fun striped look didn't require any math on my part.  The pattern comes with complete instructions and measurements to make horizontal or vertical stripes.  And I was able to sew up two of them in a few hours.

And of course, my hip hop dancing son had to get his "cool" poses in...




Even after all of the hard work, he was still concerned about wearing his shirt in public. And admittedly, his stepdad wasn't much help.  Until I explained to him, how hurtful making fun of people is.  And we will accidentally raise our children to think it is okay to hurt people.  Silly men eventually see the light... so to support my son and boys/men who wear pink everywhere, he wore a pink shirt too!

Then they decided to state their love for pink with some fun fabric spray paints. In retrospect, I would have made it darker and therefore easier to photograph but in real life, the effect is more like graffiti which they love!


So to reward my strong son we went out to lunch.  I offered to let him change his shirt first but as you can see, he decided that wearing it was much cooler!  





Moral of the story: Boys look good in pink!  And they can love it too.  So enough of wandering the fabric stores looking for navy blues, greens, grays and blacks.  Grab some pink and sew something up for your boys, even your big boys!  And then head over to the Sew For Boys facebook group and show it off!  Or post it with the hashtag #boyscanwearpink.

WAIT!!! Before you go, enter to win prizes from our amazing sponsors! And check back with me later this month for my Boys Wear Pink Volume 2!!!!



One yard of Stenzo Pit Stop Poplin in pink from Mabel Madison
$25 gift certificate, plus a surprise fat quarter from Phat Quarter Shop
One yard of solid cotton/lycra & one yard of coordinating fabric from Purple Seamstress
One pattern of choice from Paisley Roots
$20 store credit from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop
One pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates
One pattern of choice from Mouse House Creations
Bottoms Up Pants Pattern from If Only They Would Nap
One Pattern of choice from Titchy Threads


a Rafflecopter giveaway